Pele Yoetz (Wondrous Advisor) by Rabbi Eliezer Papo has enjoyed great popularity among both Sefardim and Ashkenazim since its publication more than 150 years ago.
The book, whose subject matter is arranged in the order of the Alef Beth, has been composed by its author for the purpose of guiding the Jew in his relationships with G-d, with his fellow Jews and with his fellow men in general.
Based on the Bible, Talmud, Midrash, rabbinic and Kabbalistic literature – the Zohar and Rabbi Yitzhak Luria are often quoted – as well as on the author’s own observations and experiences, Pele Yoetz prescribes the Jew’s conduct in all areas of every day living.
From every page of this lucidly and beautifully written volume shines forth the great piety and ethic personality of the Sefardi author, his ardent love of his people and deep concern for their welfare.
Pele Yoetz has been reprinted many times and has been translated into Ladino, Judeo-Arabic, Judeo-German and Yiddish.
It has been studied in Yeshivot, schools and synagogues. Thus we read in Rabbi Yisrael Taussig’s Beth Yisrael Telita’ah (1969) in the chapter on the customs of the Jewish community of Mattersdorf: “Between Minha and Ma’ariv the men used to gather in the Etz Hayyim Beth HaMidrash to study Chumash with Rashi, Pele Yoetz and Kitzur Shulchan Aruch with a Torah scholar.”
English speaking Jews are now offered the opportunity to familiarize themselves with this classic. An English translation and abridgment, The Essential Pele Yoetz – an Encyclopedia of Ethical Jewish Living, prepared by Rabbi Marc. D. Angel, rabbi of Shearith Israel, the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue of New York City, was recently published by Sepher Hermon Press.
In his very illuminative introduction, Rabbi Angel tells us what is known about Rabbi Eliezer Papo who was a rabbi and teacher in his native Sarajevo (Bosnia) and later served as rabbi in Silistra, Bulgaria; and writes of his books especially about Pele Yoetz and its wide influence.
The translation is a masterpiece. It is correct, beautiful and conveys to the reader something of the “spirit of the Hebrew original.”
In order to give the reader some idea of the wide scope of the volume, we will mention the headings of the first 10 subjects of the altogether more than 300 included in the English edition: Love of G-d; Love of Self; Love of Sons and Daughters; Love of Man and Woman; Love of Torah Scholars and Pious People; Love of Friends; Mourning; Faith; Eating and Drinking; Truth.
Following are extracts from some of the entries:
“Parents should teach their children to shun lies and false excuses. when a child admits a wrong, the parent should forgive him and encourage him not to repeat the misdeed in the future. But if the child lies, he should be punished. In this way, he will understand the gravity of falsehood” (From the entry “Truth”).
“Brothers who are in business together should avoid quarrel. They should ‘seek peace and pursue it’ (Psalms 34:15).Disagreement must be nipped in the bud, for once it begins, it flares up uncontrollably. Even when it is resolved a residue of bad feeling remains. Foresight is crucial to avoiding confrontation in the first place (from the entry “Brothers.).
“Never say or do anything which is not absolutely upright to find grace in people’s eyes.”
“It is more important to find favor in the eyes of G-d. Do not anger Him in order to be liked by people for by doing so, you will lose far more than you will gain. It is better to be despised by man than by G-d” (from the entry “Grace”).
Here and there Rabbi Papo mentioned a Sefardi custom. The translator could perhaps, have commented on these for the benefit of the Ashkenazi reader.
In the entry “Blessings,” we read “Strive to receive the blessings of your parents. Try to visit them on Friday evenings, Shabbatot and holidays to kiss their hands and receive their blessings.”
Kissing the parents’ hands before receiving their blessing is a Sefardi custom. it was also practiced in other communities.
In the entry on “Providing Clothing’ it is stated: There are many places where it is customary to provide clothing for the children of the poor on Hanukkah.”
Rabbi Papo refers here to the Sefardi custom of Shabbat Halbasha. On Shabbat Hanukkah, the rabbi appeals for clothing for poor children. Rabbi Marc Angel himself wrote about this custom in his excellent study on the Jews of Rhodes.
To the Pele Yoetz editions mentioned by the translator in his introduction should be added Pele Yoetz HaShalem (Jerusalem 1987). It includes the vocalized text, source references and a biography of the author.
The Jewish Press, Friday, January 10, 1992 p. 69